On my last post I felt moved to write about Down’s syndrome babies and the injustices that we deceive ourselves in modern society to be “our right to choose” and other convenient excuses. Little did I know that not long after this, Richard Dawkins would make an absurd statement about Down’s syndrome and abortion. It is of course no surprise, as this is the natural place that materialism and naturalism leads to when logically followed through, so why should we expect less from a staunch Atheist? However the timing was in a way, quite coincidental (or perhaps not as coincidence is not something I regularly attribute observations to).
Anyway, to move on from that type of “prophecy” (said in
jest, of course!) to another that is actual real prophecy - Biblical prophecy. Biblical prophecy is so
often overlooked among the Church today. This is probably for 2 main reasons:
1) Modern churches do not like to preach about judgement and
the wrath of God (and Biblical prophecy is full of this, in fact it focuses on
this)
2) Modern churches do not understand Biblical prophecy or
decide that it is divisive, so they avoid teaching it
It is certainly the case with #2 that there are many
flavours of this variety. For example, some people reject much of the literal
nature of Biblical prophecy not yet fulfilled, and thus teach a confusing and
somewhat limited (in my opinion) hermeneutical stance on this. For example,
that Israel has no place in God’s future plan, that much of Revelation is
non-literal or has already happened and is very figurative, or even claim we
are not meant to understand it at all. While Biblical prophecy is hard to
understand for sure, this should certainly not stop us from studying it,
teaching it, and trying to understand it through the help of the Holy Spirit. A
blessing is promised to the reader of Revelation who reads and understands the
words written in that book.
Now having said this, I want to present a rather speculative
discussion on this subject. I am in no way saying this is definitely how things
are going to happen, but rather they “could” happen this way. The title of my
post is “This is the end” which comes from a movie with Seth Rogan and others
in his usual comedic gang, somewhat light-heartedly looking at the idea of the
Apocalypse as related to the Bible. This was such an awful film I feel that I
lost a significant portion of my life, but it is useful to see the perspective
people have and be reminded of the overarching folly of the human religious
system. You see, the facts they present were so far from what the Bible says
about the end times, but the most significant thing to note is the criterion
expected to make it into heaven. Purely based on your good outweighing your bad
works and doing something for others first instead of yourself and you make it
into heaven. Then when you get into heaven, it is just a big party where
everyone does what they want and is rooted in human carnality. Once again, we
see evidence of how little people even understand about the Holiness of God.
Sadly, I think many people who would call themselves Christians would have a
basic structure not too far from this.
This post will be long: there is a lot to discuss and much I
am not discussing, but it is a bit of Biblical “fun” and a little bit of
speculation given what the Bible says.
Israel’s role in the End Times
Firstly, what we must say is that the activities going on
with Israel and the middle East do three things:
1) Demonstrate we are near the end times and very near the
return of Christ
2) Deal a significant blow to the non-literalist/Israel
allegorist / Preterist (etc.) theology
3) Demonstrate the accuracy of God’s prophecy as recorded in
Scripture (the Bible)
I think most people who truly are Christians can agree with
#1. However many Christians take Israel and the Church to be continuous and one
entity. God did not cut off Israel apparently, but rather (as Convenant
Theology teaches) all the blessings and promises made to Israel were meant not
for a nation but those who have saving faith in God. As the Church became that
people who accepted the Messiah as Christ, they are the fulfilment of the
blessings and promises.
The problem with this in the very first instance is the fact
that all the curses that God promised came true to a literal nation Israel. The
second problem is this makes certain passages of Scripture very hard to
rationalise and weakly interpreted – for example Romans 9-11. Finally, the very
fact that so much prophecy is being fulfilled with a literal Israeli nation
today is the final piece of the jigsaw that overwhelmingly leads me to reject
Covenant theology.
For sure – no salvation comes to any man except through
Christ Jesus. But I believe that the Bible is clear that Israel as a nation, on
the whole, will come to a saving faith in Christ. They will “look upon Him who
they have pierced and mourn as for an only Son.” Then the blessings can be
fulfilled – and Israel is separate to the Church (although praise God we have
many Jews who have accepted Christ today, just like there always was a remnant
of Jews who were true Israel, believing Jews, and form part of the present day
Church).
So what is this prophetic evidence concerning Israel? Well
to summarise some of the things Scripture teaches about the end times:
- Israel will be scattered among all the nations
- Jews will be persecuted throughout history
- Jews will be re-gathered to their original promised land
- Israel as a nation will be reformed “in a day”
- Israel will control Jerusalem
- Israel will still not accept Jesus as their Messiah but will seek to become more religious (legalistic)
- Jews in Israel will seek to (and eventually will) rebuild the temple (3rd temple) and reinstate the sacrificial system
- The temple that is re-built will not have a court of the Gentiles (this is very important – see below)*
- All the surrounding nations will be hostile to Israel and rise against her
- The land of Israel will be barren and a wasteland from their scattering, until their regathering when it will blossom like Eden
- The fruit of the land of Israel will give them great abundance in trade and export fine foods around the world
- A pure language (Hebrew) will be reinstated among the Jews and in Israel
- The shekel will be reinstated as a currency
- The East gate has been sealed up as prophesied, and still remains that way (will do so until the Messiah enters from the East through this gate)
Now the sceptic could go through this list and claim that
just because one of these things happened does not prove the prophecies truly
predicted it. For example, people always use this with regards to the “wars and
rumours of wars” prediction of end times, stating that this has always been the
case since the Bible was written. Yet all of these very specific prophecies, that are not vague have come true
(except the temple rebuilding, as marked by * but see further).
Furthermore, the very fact that they have come true is
astounding in many of the individual cases. What other nation had its people
scattered for nearly 2 millenia, lost the land, yet have come back, been
regathered and speak the original language, use the old currency...the odds are
not in favour of it being chance for 1-2 of these let alone all of them. Let us
examine them a bit further, and let me state that there are many passages not
mentioned here, but a mere sampling.
Is 66:8 – Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such
things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at
once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.”
Deut 30:3 – then the LORD your God will restore your
fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations
where he scattered you.
This prophecy demonstrates that Israel will be formed as a
nation in a day. The UN declared Israel
a legal rightful nation in 1948. Further, following the 6-day war in 1967 they
remain an established nation. There is even evidence to show the migration of
Jews post-WWII pre-1948 into Jerusalem was dominated by the directions that the
Bible states in the same order. The Bible talks about Israel reforming in the
end days(and this was written ~2500 years ago). We are living in this time.
Israel have control of Jerusalem the city as well, despite the presence of the
Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount and the religious significance to Muslims of
this place. This is clear as seen even now with ISIS supporters demonstrating
on Temple Mount:
This poses an apparent problem though: it has been claimed
that the Dome of the rock is placed where the 3rd temple would have
to be rebuilt. The Dome is one of the most sacred religious sites of Islam and
there is no conceivable way they would stand by and allow it to be destroyed or
altered. Now certainly all things are possible with God, however it is
interesting to note that many believe when you draw the lines from the ancient
borders of Jerusalem (still known and some there to date), the 3rd
temple would be built to the side of the Dome, however the importance is with
the lack of the “court of the gentiles.”
This was inherent in previous temple
structures however the Bible states:
Revelation 11:1-2 – I was given a reed like a measuring rod
and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its
worshipers. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been
given to the Gentiles.
Now you see, it is prophesised that the outer court will be
excluded. Measuring is very interesting in the Bible – it normally refers to
God’s ownership, whether that is to own a set place for judgement (destruction)
or for His own. This is for His people (Israel) who will be drawn to Him in the
end times. However what is very
interesting from what I have read of various scholars and Israeli experts is
that if you exclude the court of the gentiles (outer court), then you have a
significant clearance from the Dome of the Rock therefore you do not need to
impinge on it to have the rest of the temple there. It is a number of meters in
its boundaries from the temple, without its outer court. So I believe the fact
that the outer court is not there is very pertinent, and fitting with our time
and the “gentiles” being those who are worshipping their own “god” right next
to the Jewish temple.
But you say the temple has not been built, so this is
speculation – yes, it is speculation but it is certainly highly possible and I
would argue probable. There is a huge movement to rebuild the 3rd
temple and when you look into it, you see the temple foundation in Israel and
others is completely ready. They could set this thing up in a week – and it could
be like the tabernacle travelling temple with the Jews that they could set up
very quickly, in its first instance. They have all the ornaments, the various
structures, the priestly garments, the plans, the layout – everything ready.
They have been doing this for years and money has poured in from Jews worldwide
to their foundation to set this up. They have even initiated priestly classes
to train up a young generation in how to correctly perform the Levitical duties
and sacrifices.
Finally, they are actively seeking out the perfect red heifer
which they believe they need for the first sacrifice (the 10th
perfect heifer) that will usher in the Messiah to come to Israel and liberate
them. That is in their teaching – once the 10th perfect red heifer
is sacrificed, Messiah will come. Just earlier this month they had been closely
monitoring a red heifer in the US from presumably an anonymous Jewish farmer
who had submitted it early on as a candidate, and ensured that it performed no
labour and was treated very specially. They thought it was perfect but it
recently changed some hair colour in a patch, thus disqualified it. But you
see, they are searching the whole globe to import this heifer if they have to.
It is truly amazing how quickly this could happen. Finally, many Rabbis claim
that since Solomon’s time, it has been safe-guarded and a closely kept secret
where the location of the hidden ark of the covenant is at. They believe that
Solomon made a complex maze under the Temple Mount in his wisdom, as he knew
that invaders would come and try to take the Ark. Thus they say they know the
exact location, however it is under where perhaps the Dome of the Rock is and
they have been hindered by Muslims (who also destroy many artifacts that add
evidence the Jews were there before the Muslims thus have more right to
Jerusalem) who stop them from trying to dig under the mount to find it. Imagine
what finding that could do though for that whole situation and for the Jewish
people in reviving the majority to believe the Scriptures as valid, and hence
also join the religious Jews there to rebuild the temple.
Other important pieces of Scripture to note:
Zeph 3:9 For at that time I will change the speech of the
peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD
and serve him with one accord.
How could it be that a nation that did not even speak Hebrew
in Jesus’ time, suddenly at this point in history comes to its home land and
also restores its ancient language of Hebrew. This is the “pure” speech that
Zephaniah refers to. Additionally we see in Ezekial 45 that the shekel will be
in use and restored in the end times. When Israel came back the Israel lira was
in use until 1980 and then the Shekel came in. This is another amazing fulfilment
of end times prophecy we see before us now.
Finally, one prophecy that thrills me the most is the
Eastern gate:
Ez 44:1-2 – Then the man brought me back to the outer gate
of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. The LORD said to me,
“This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through
it. It is to remain shut because the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered
through it. The prince himself is the only one who may sit inside the gateway
to eat in the presence of the LORD. He is to enter by way of the portico of the
gateway and go out the same way."
The Eastern gate was sealed up several hundred years ago
which is something you can look up but this is confirmed to be the original
Eastern gate. It remains sealed to this day. When Israel was defending itself
through attack in the 20th century, it was suggested by some
soldiers that they break through this shut gate in order to surprise and gain
advantage over their enemies. One
soldier though it is reported to vehemently oppose this, for they knew the
Scriptures and they said that only the Messiah can unseal this gate. How fascinating is it to know that
this gate is still there, remains sealed and that Jesus Himself will break
through it physically and literally sometime in the probably not-so-distant
future!
There are so many other prophecies that have been fulfilled,
but these are the main specific ones with regards to Israel. Some have yet to
be fulfilled, and we certainly know about the rider of the horse that comes in
peace, makes a 7-year peace treaty with Israel and then defiles that (and the
temple) at the mid-point, when the nations then gather against Israel.
The role of Islam
However, I do not want to end there. Something fascinates me
about the conflict of Arabs and Islam surrounding Israel. Many people have said
the Catholic church will be the main opponent, but although I believe they may
have an involvement and their pope may indeed be the false prophet, I am
starting to strongly believe that the anti-Christ will in fact be a Muslim.
With all of ISIS going on, and the severe approach they have
taken, it is clear the world is largely “condemning” this behaviour and it will
not be tolerated. There is also no clear leadership or plan for ISIS moving
forward. As a side note – it is interesting to think that 20 years ago, people
may not have taken Revelation speaking of the “souls of those who were beheaded
for their faith” as literal, due to the unusual association of beheading with
our “modern” times. Yet what do we see now? Islam extremists who are doing
exactly that (and how “extremist” they are, is a point for debate). Is it so
hard to imagine then this becoming common place? I think not.
But anyway, returning to Islam. It is clear that Muslims are
predominantly the persuasion of those nations surrounding Israel. These are who
will rise up against the Jews, and they already disdain them and want them
removed as a nation. This all goes back to Ishmael and Isaac (Islam through
Ishmael, Judaism through Isaac) however what is most fascinating is the
eschatology that is taught by Islam. Here is what they believe concerning the
end times, as a summary of relevant points:
- The first main person to come at the end of history is the Mahdi/12th Imam
- The Mahdi comes to remove/kill all those who do not worship Allah/convert to Islam
- The Mahdi comes to establish the everlasting world dominating kingdom of Islam
- The Mahdi will be a leader of military sorts as he will have a large army with black flags that go from nation to nation converting people to Islam
- The Mahdi will first send the army to destroy the Jews and establish rule on Temple Mount (where the 3rd Jewish temple must be built and where the Dome of the Rock lies)
- Mahdi will first come and make though, a peace agreement with the west and Jews for 7 years
- The Mahdi will come riding on a white horse
- The Mahdi will find hidden scriptures somewhere in the middle east which will be deemed the true scriptures and demonstrates that the Jews and Christians have it wrong and their versions of the scriptures are wrong
- There will be a prophet that will also come and support the Mahdi
- This prophet will be Jesus
- This Jesus will exalt the Mahdi, and put to rest the Christian account and reveal that he was never killed, never rose from the grave, etc (but he is a pure Muslim)
- He will direct people to worship the Mahdi and Allah
- A Muslim “Antichrist” will come – Dajjal
- Dajjal will come on a mule and is blind in one eye, a false miracle worker who claims to be Jesus the Son of God
- The “true” Jesus will kill him and stop him from affecting the Mahdi
This amazes me – you can perfectly see how so many will be fooled into thinking that the Antichrist is what they have been waiting for – the establisher of Islam worldwide. It will even be confirmed to them when the 7-year deal is made! Undoubtedly the false prophet fits in perfectly here too, and you can even see then why the Bible says many will be deceived in that time (“even the elect, if that were possible”). The ultimate false Christ.
ISIS cannot bring about what they want as that is condemned
as well – there needs to be a great leader who will come with great promise of
prosperity but of also peace. ISIS cannot bring about what they want as that is
condemned as well – there needs to be a great leader who will come with great
promise of prosperity but of also peace.
So where are we now? Awaiting the arrival of that leader,
the rebuilding of the temple, the rise of the false prophet and the 7-year
peace treaty deal. Looking over the facts above, what is left to be fulfilled?
We are literally on the verge and it could in a very real sense happen at
absolutely any point now. Will we (the Church) be here to see it happen? That
is another point for debate – I believe largely not, and this is why when you
study these things it gives your heart a greater urgency for evangelism, and
also preparedness of your own heart and life.
Do you say “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus” with great joy and
delight? Or do you fear the thought of the end times or being swept away? To
live is Christ, to die is certainly gain and for Jesus to return is beyond all
joy and comprehension.
